Roy & Root overpower Gayle in England's highest successful ODI run chase

Sixes and fours flew to all parts of the ground in Barbados yesterday, as England sealed an exhilarating victory against West Indies. If the first innings was lit up by a magnificent century from Chris Gayle, the second half was further exemplified by England's efficient and thrilling chase.

Batting first, the Windies lost their opener John Campbell (30) in the 9th over, which made way for Shai Hope, who built a steady partnership with Gayle. Both of them kept the scoreboard ticking with occasional fours and sixes, until the 30th over where Ben Stokes trapped Hope at third man.

In fact, that was the moment which gave the West Indian innings some much needed impetus. The next 2 overs saw 5 gigantic sixes from the Carribean's. Even though Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran didn’t trouble the scorecard much, Gayle got some company on the crease in the form of Darren Bravo. Moeen Ali leaked 27 runs in the 41st over, conceding our huge sixes in the process. When it felt like the Windies were moving towards a total in the region of 380, the English bowlers buckled up and did a commendable job in restricting them to a total of 360.

If sixes were the main weapon of the Windies, fours were the firearms of the Englishmen. Right from the beginning, they were at par with the required run rate. England were 88/0 after 10 overs, 148/1 after 20 overs, 219/2 after 30 overs, 302/2 after 40 overs, and finished comfortably within 50 overs. When Joe Root (102 off 97 balls) anchored the innings with a calm head, Jason Roy (123 off 85 balls) was the aggressor. When Roy got out, Eoin Morgan (65 off 51 balls) took that role and made sure they don’t fell short of the target.

With their highest successful run chase in ODI cricket, England have proved again why they are the hot favorites for the 2019 World Cup.

Scores:

West Indies – 360/8(50 overs) Chris Gayle – 135 (129 balls, 4x3, 12x6), Shai Hope – 64 (65 balls, 7x4, 6x1)

England – 364/4 (48.4 overs) Jason Roy- 123 (85 balls, 15x4, 3x6), Joe Root- 102(97 balls, 9x4)